Samskriti Foundation - Center for Indian Culture

Samskriti is a registered dance foundation, founded in 1996, to fulfil the needs of the people interested in Indian culture helping them to imbibe all aspects of its culture especially its traditional art forms. Based in Chicago, Illinois, Samskriti offers year-round classes in Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Carnatic Music and Yoga.

The dance training program has clearly defined achievement levels. The curriculum is designed with the traditional teaching approach modified to suit the needs and experiences of students in the United States. To become a full-fledged dancer it is important to undergo training in three levels: basics like steps and jathis along with introduction to dance theory, followed by dance items and advanced theory, and in the final stage expertise in abhinaya (facial expression), nattuvangam (dance conducting) and opportunities for choreography. The summer program gives intensive training in both practical and theory aspects for students who wish to pursue dance on a more serious level.

Students of Samskriti perform regularly in various community events and the senior students accompany Shoba Natarajan, the founder-director on some of her programs. Besides imparting training in dance, music, yoga and dance theory, Samskriti Foundation organizes performances and workshops by local and visiting artists. The highlight of its events is "Gurukulam" – an annual cultural camp for children.

Samskriti Foundation strives to:

  • Enrich the cultural life of the community by presenting dance and music performances by both US based and visiting artists

  • Preserve and propagate traditional Indian art forms through regular classes and summer camps

  • Educate the public and encourage the awareness and enjoyment of the art forms by conducting workshops, seminars and lecture-demonstrations by renowned performers and scholars

  • Promote cross-cultural sensitivity and exchange of ideas by forming a network of dance educators and artists

  • Foster research in theoretical and historical aspects of dance and music and support new ventures